London Day 6

The day began with me turning off the alarm clock and saying to hell with breakfast ... I turned over and went back to sleep for another hour before deciding that if we were going to make the changing of the guard, it was time to get up and start the day ... I hate colds ... but knock on wood ... this one is not killing me yet ...



We caught the bus and went to the changing of the guard. As we got to Buckingham Palace, the guard behind the gates were already in maneuvers. We got to see most of the ceremony, although Mario thought he caught a glimpse of Miguel Garza and Arturo Cole, our friends from Monterrey, at a distance, so we ran and caught up with them and got to spend a little time with them this morning. They are headed to Venice, I think, and leave out tomorrow morning.



From there we walked down to the Hard Rock Cafe. The London one is actually where it all began. After doing the basic shopping at the gift shop - the requisite teddy bear and the t-shirt, Katherine and her friend Annie showed up and we said our adieu's to our friends from Mexico and went inside for dinner. Katherine said the thing she missed the most was American food ... althought it is still a little confusing to all of us how a restaurant started in England is all about American food - but then I never understood hard rock to begin with ... lol. After lunch, we went to Harrod's for a bit of shopping and found this really cool teddy bear. They also have a memorial to Princess Diana and her fiance - which includes the last wine glass they drank from and the engagement ring.



After shopping we headed back to the hotel with our purchases before heading back out to theatre. If it can truly be said that good theatre touches the soul, then Mary Poppins is grand theatre. Not since attending the circus with a 4 year old some 18 years ago has my inner child had so much fun - and sheer exhilaration and wonder that this show produces. From the beginning when Poppins pulls out a hat rack from her carpet bag - suspended on a table above the floor - how ever did they do that ... throughout the entire performance, there is just one thing after another that makes your inner child scream for joy. We had been hesitant to go see it - even though it sounded like fun - for fear of what they might do to this great story - which has always had a lot of power over me. And while I missed the suffragette song and that portion of the story line, as well as missing out on the tea party on the ceiling - there were new things to add and garner my attention ... Suffice it to say that it was beyond all doubt a most pleasant surprise - and given the chance to see it some day - would encourage you ALL to do so.

Scarlett Strallen is the quintessential Mary Poppins - and looks a great deal like Julie Andrews to boot. Gavin Creel as Bert also does a fabulous job and again, has much of the charisma and stage presence of Dick Van Dyke himself. The children are great in their portrayals of Jane and Michael Banks, Aden Gillett and Eliza Lumley are superb as Mr. and Mrs. Banks, and lest I forget, the bird lady portrayed by Diane Langton. That part has always held a special place in my heart as well.